Israeli teens refuse to join army over settlement policies

A group of Israeli teenagers has sent an open letter to Prime Minister Netanyahu declaring their opposition to being drafted into the military because of Israel’s policies surrounding West Bank settlements, which they view as “human rights violations.”

The letter was signed by 50 teens and published on the Facebook
page of an Israeli pacifist group called Yesh Gvul, which means
‘There is a Limit.'

“The main reason for our refusal is our opposition to the
occupation of the Palestinian territories by the army,” the
teenagers wrote, as quoted by AFP.

The teenagers pointed out that the army plays a huge role in what
Israel does in the West Bank, adding that it has a negative
effect on both Palestinians and Israeli society.

“There are actions that are considered war crimes according
to international law on a daily basis such as assassinations –
extrajudicial killings, building of settlements on the
Palestinian territories, administrative detentions, torturing,
collective punishment and unequal distribution of resources such
as water and electricity,” the teens wrote.

“The problem in the military system is not limited to the
confines of its effect on the Palestinian society, but seeps into
the daily lives of the Israeli society as well.”

Military service is compulsorily in Israel, with men required to
serve three years and women two.

But in recent years, enlistment in the military has overall been
declining. People who refuse to serve must serve prison time
unless they receive an unfit profile assessment from the army
that excuses them from having to enlist.

There has recently been an increase in conscientious objectors
who have made public statements on moral grounds about their
objection to joining the military.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) are meant to be stationed in the
West Bank to bring stability and security, but a recent report by
Amnesty International, entitled 'Trigger Happy,' accused
them of using excessive force and alleged that Israel allows its
soldiers to act with virtual impunity.

According to UN data, 45 Palestinians were killed by the IDF
between 2011 and 2013, including six children.

As well as the deaths, Amnesty said that a further 261
Palestinians, including 67 children, were seriously injured by
live ammunition fired by Israeli soldiers. More than 8,000
Palestinians were injured by other means, including rubber coated
metal bullets, the report said.

The current size of the Israeli Army, also known as the Israeli
Ground Forces, is estimated at roughly 133,000 active soldiers
with 380,000 soldiers in reserve. The Ground Forces should not be
confused with the IDF, which includes the Israeli Air Force and
Navy, in addition to the Army.